Galatians - session 1
Sometimes we think of the early church as one full of dedicated Believers, who gave so much of themselves to build a lasting community for Christ. Yet, as we study Paul's letters, both to Corinth and Galatia, we learn there was a lot of disenchantment on the inside. In Galatia, some church members were concerned about those who were "trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:7). When we are upset about problems in our own churches, these are good letters to review.
Oh, you foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? . . . Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. (Galatians 4:1-14) Paul defends the true Gospel, and his call from God to preach this. The promise of God was given to Abraham before the Law of Moses. The Law was necessary "because of transgressions until . . . the promise would come" through Jesus. (Galatians 3:19).
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Paul had been a very legalistic, religious man, steeped in the Mosaic Law. He knew how easy it was for some newly converted Christians to fall back under dependency on the Law rather than on Christ. He knew, himself, that no one can keep the law in perfect steps as it requires. After all, Jesus had warned us, that if a married one looks on another with lust, one is guilty of adultery; or that one can "kill" another with anger; or craving what someone else has is envy--and on and on. The Law condemns, but the Grace of God redeems. Paul warned them,
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ: you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)
Paul encouraged them to "live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature". The Spirit in the Believer and the sinful nature are "in conflict with each other" (Galatians 3:16-18). He listed the acts of the sinful nature in verses 19, 20 and 21. Then in verses 22 and 23 he gave us a list of the beautiful fruits of the Spirit. They are:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, & self-control
God bless!